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Cloverdale's funky art-deco Clova Cinema to close as public theatre this summer

Fans of the Clova Cinema in Cloverdale will have to get in their movie-watching before the end of summer.

Photograph by: Files
, Surrey Now

SURREY, B.C. — The end is near for Clova Cinema as a commercial movie theatre.

The new owner of the building, Crossridge Church, has other plans for the landmark site, which it has used for Sunday-morning services for the past three years.

The building will still be used as a theatre for events of some kind, according to church officials.

“We're still really in the early stages of this,” Lee Francois, lead pastor at Crossridge, told the Surrey Now on Wednesday.

“There's nothing definite yet. The heart of our church is for the city, so we want to be involved in the community, and we already are involved in the community, but we would see the theatre being made available for community events that take place.

“The theatre isn't going anywhere, isn't being bulldozed. It's going to be made available to communities for lots of different things,” Francois underlined. “It just won't remain a commercial movie theatre.”

Craig Burghardt, who leases the space and runs it as the Clova, says the theatre will show its final commercial film at the end of summer.

With a change in ownership and other concerns, a long-term lease for operators of the Clova isn't an option.

Over the past couple of years, Burghardt and his Clova "family" haven't had much success raising the tens of thousands of dollars needed to upgrade the theatre to digital film technology.

"Sometime this year, the curtain will draw and the show will end for good," Burghardt wrote in a message to customers on the Clova's Facebook page late Monday.

For the past six years, Burghardt has been on a month-to-month lease of the building that houses the theatre.

"We have made several attempts to secure a mutually agreeable, long-term agreement with the owners, which we felt was important to have before spending $60,000+ on a new projector," Burghardt wrote. "I say 'attempts' because we have failed."

The Clova has shared the building with Crossridge Church for the past three years.

"On Wednesday of last week, I met with the representatives and was informed that their plans for the building are not conducive to us running as a movie theatre.

"As of right now," Burghardt continued, "we are able to still get film. The church has graciously offered to let us continue running, rent-free, until such a time that film is no longer available. We plan to play as many movies as we can get, and we hope to see as many of you before our doors close, which we estimate, will be near the end of summer."

Paul Orazietti, executive director of Cloverdale Business Improvement Association, says the BIA is encouraged by news that Crossroads intends to renovate the building and use it as a theatre for community events.

"I could see it being used for charity functions and other outside groups approaching the church to work with them, to use the theatre for community events," Orazietti said.

"We're trying to protect the heritage of this strip, so we're happy that somebody's coming along who has a big heart and wants to save it, breathe new life into it. Nobody wants to see a business fail, and obviously Craig had a large following, and they're emotional about it all ... It's always difficult to deal with change."

Burghardt has owned and operated the Clova for the past 17 years; the theatre first opened in the 1940s.

"It has been a wonderful and joyous 17+ years, with many memories, thanks to all of you supportive patrons," Burghardt wrote.

The Clova plans to "go out with a bang" over the next few months.

"We have some great ideas and will continue to run numerous events, and continue to be a giant part of this community," Burghardt wrote.

"In fact, when I heard the news, my first thought was for the community. We help so many groups fundraise, and it will be disappointing that we can't do that anymore. Furthermore, I feel for downtown Cloverdale, and I ask that you please continue to support the stores that remain down here.

"But we're still here, for awhile, and hope to cram in as many good memories as possible. And hopefully have some exciting news about a new adventure. Stay tuned."

By Wednesday, the theatre's Facebook page was filled with hundreds of comments from saddened customers and community members.

"We have so enjoyed the family atmosphere at the Clova," wrote Marita Wraight. "We will miss getting together for a fun night out and seeing our friends and neighbours!"

Wrote Beverley Anne: "This is incredibly sad news for the Cloverdale community. Many of our local schools have relied on the Clova for fundraising over the years, and it is always such a joy to have a small piece of history in our backyards ... It should not be closing!"

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